Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Lieutenant Willoughby Shortland

Lieutenant Willoughby Shortland, who was Colonial Secretary during the governorship of Captain Hobson, assumed the administration of affairs upon the death of his chief, pending the appointment of a new Governor. As there was no steam or cable service between New Zealand and Lieutenant Willoughby Shortland England in those days, it was fully fifteen months before the new Governor, in the person of Captain Fitzroy, arrived to take the place rendered vacant by the death of Captain Hobson. In the meantime, from September, 1842, to December, 1843, Lieutenant Shortland administered the government of the Colony. With the exception of the Wairau Massacre, little of importance took place during his term of office. But this massacre was attended with such horror that it spread alarm throughout the whole Colony. It arose in a disagreement between the agent of the New Zealand Land Company at Nelson, and two Maori chiefs, Te Rauparaha and Rangi-haeata. The Maoris claimed the ownership of a block of land in Cloudy Bay, and in vindication of their claim set fire to the hut of the men engaged in surveying it. A complaint being made by the surveyor to the Company, the agent obtained a warrant, and, with a force of about fifty men, proceeded to arrest the two chiefs for their offence. While the English were crossing the river, using a canoe as a bridge, a gun went off accidentally, though it hurt no one. By this misfortune the Maoris were thoroughly roused, and prepared for action. The English, who were largely outnumbered by their opponents, saw that it would be futile to stand their ground. Some accordingly turned and fled. But the Maoris quickly followed in pursuit. Captain Wakefield called on his party to surrender. In the excitement a chance ball struck Rangihaeata's wife, and to avenge this he murdered all the prisoners. Lieutenant Shortland was in no way to blame for this; but it was considered by the settlers that he, as Acting-Governor, should have treated Te Rauparaha and Rangihaeata as murderers, and not as successful warriors. For full details of this massacre and the correspondence between the Acting-Governor and the Nelson Settlers, see Brett's Early History of New Zealand, p. 647.